Snap in fitting



Jana 17, w67 R. M. SAUNDERS 3,298,136

SNAP IN FITTING Filed Feb. 17, 1964 36 2. 35 2@ 2E. A@ wa@ 2@ INVENTOR. @o 7 M Mmmm-ff United States Patent O w 3,298,136 SNAP IN FITTlNG Robert M. Saunders, 4405 E. th Ave., Hialeah, Fla. 33013 Filed Feb. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 345,484 4 Claims. (Cl. 49-425) The present invention relates to a movable or slideable member such as a door, and more particularly to snap in fittings for such a movable door.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a highly improved and simplified snap roller assembly for a door wherein the present invention helps eliminate fastening hardware such as screws or rivets, and also simplifies the fastening or mounting operation and wherein installation and assembly of the parts can be greatly speeded up as compared to conventional assemblies.

Another object of the invention is to provide a snap in fitting which includes a bracket that acts as a corner gusset, and wherein the bracket is provided with diametrically opposed outwardly offset tongues which are adapted to selectively engage slots or cut-outs in the bottom rail of the door.

It is also the object of the present invention to provide a device of the character indicated which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, as well as being convenient and efficient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE l is a fragmentary elevational view of a door provided with the snap in fitting of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the parts separated for clarity of illustration. y

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 20 indicates a movable or slideable member such as a door which is shown to comprise a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side members 21 as Well as a horizontally disposed bottom rail 22, and the numeral 23 indicates a horizontally disposed track that is arranged below the door 20. As shown in the drawings, the side members 21 are of generally U-shape in cross-section, FIG. 4, and the side members 21 thus include an end portion 24 as well as side portions 25 that overlap or overlie the adjacent ends of the bottom rail 22.

The bottom Irail 22 includes a longitudinally extending Web or wall section 28, FIG. 2, and the web 28 extends between a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side sections 26 which form part of the bottom rail 22. The side sections 26 are provided with diametrically opposed inwardly directed shoulders 27 on the lower portions thereof, for a purpose to be later described. As shown in the drawings, the space above the web 28 is adapted to receive therein the lower portions of a mounting or support 29 which supports a pane or panel 30 therein.

According to the present invention, the improvement consists in providing a pair of snap in fittings 31 which are arranged at the lower corners of the door 20, and since each of these snap in fittings 31 has the same construction, a description of one will sufiice for both. Each of these 3,298,136 Patented dan. 17, 1967 lCC fittings includes a bracket that is indicated generally by the numeral 32, and the bracket 32 is of a size so that it is snugly interposed or fitted between the web 28 and shoulders 27 whereby the bracket 32 can be slid or moved along the bottom rail 22 between the web 28 and shoulders 27 when desired or required. The bracket 32 includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side pieces 33 which are interconnected by a cross piece 34, and the side pieces 33 are provided with diametrically opposed outwardly offset tongues 35 which are adapted to selectively engage a pair of diametrically opposed generally rectangular slots or cut-outs 36, and the slots 36 are for-med or punched in the side sections 26 of the bottom rail 22.

The numeral 37 indicates a channel section or enlargement which is formed integral with the upper surface of the cross-piece 34, and the channel section 37 is provided with a longitudinally extending bore 38 therein, and the numeral 39 indicates a screw member which extends through the bore 3S, and the screw member 39 has an enlarged head 40 on one end thereof, and the other end of the screw member 39 is provided with a somewhat tapered tip 43. The head 40 of the screw member is provided with a slit or kerf 41, whereby when desired, a suitable tool such as a screw driver can be inserted through an aperture or opening 42 in the end portion 24 of the side member 21 in order to engage the kerf 41 so that the screw member 39 can be adjusted or turned as desired or required.

The snap in fitting of the present invention further includes a housing that is indicated generally by the numeral 46, and the housing 46 comprises a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side elements 47 which have diametrically opposed registering cut-outs 48 therein to provide clearance adjacent said cross-piece 34 of the bracket 32. The side elements 47 have registering apertures or openings 52 which register with the apertures or openings 44 in the bracket 32 whereby a pivot pin 45 is adapted to be extended through the registering apertures 44 and 52 in order to provide a pivot mounting or support for the housing 46 on the bracket 32.

The housing 46 further includes a wall portion 49 which joins or interconnects the side elements 47 together, the wall portion 49 is engaged by the tapered end 43 of the screw members 39 so that by rotating or adjusting the screw members 39, the pressure from the end 43 against the wall portion 49 can be used for adjusting a housing 46 so that the door can be maintained at the desired height or location. The numeral 50 indicates a pin or axle which extends between the side elements 47, and a roller 51 is journaled on the pin 5t) between the side elements 47, and the roller 51 is adapted to engage the track 23, and it is understood that the track 23 is stationary and may be suitably aiiixed to a floor surface or the like.

The numeral 53 indicates a corner screw which extends through an opening or aperture 55 in the end portion 24 of the side member 21, and the corner screw 53 is adapted to engage a channel section 54 which is formed integral with the lower surface of the cross-piece 34.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a snap in fitting for a sliding or moving door and as shown in the drawings, one of the snap in fittings 31 is arranged and provided for each of the lower corners of the door such as the door 20. In use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, it will be seen that when the parts are in assembled relation, the roller 51 engages the track 23, and the roller 51 is mounted on the axle or pin 50 which is supported by the housing 46. Due to the provision of the screw member 39, it will be seen that by inserting a screw driver through the openings 42 in the side member 21, such a screw driver can engage the slit or kerf 41 in the `head 40 of the screw 39 in order to rotate the screw 39 whereby the pressure exerted by the tip 43 on the wall portion 49 can be varied so that l the pivotal location of the housing 46 relative to the bracket 32 can be varied as desired or required and this -permits up and down or in and out adjustment of the -34 of the bracket 32 so that the housing 46 can pivot in the desired manner.

The bracket 32 is of a shape and configuration so that it is capable of moving in the bottom member or bottom rail 22 and between the web 28 and the shoulders 27. Initially, when assembling the present invention, the side rails 21 are not connected to the remaining portions of the door including the bottom rail 22 so that the bracket 32 with the housing 46 connected thereto can be readily inserted in through the end of the bottom rail 22 as, for example, the bracket 32 can be moved from left to right into the end of the bottom rail 22 as shown in FIG. 3. As the bracket 32 moves in and along the bottom rail 22, its outwardly offset tongues 35 will move into registry with the slots 36 and will thus interengage with the slots 36 so that a locking action will take place which will prevent the bracket 32 from being inadvertently withdrawn or moved out of the bottom rail 22 from right to left thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 3 since the edges of the tongues 35 will catch ion or abut the edges of the side sections 26 if the bracket 32 starts to move from right to left in FIG. 3. If it is desired to move the bracket 32 from the bottom rail 22, it is only necessary to compress or force the tongues 35 inwardly, as for example by means of a pair of pliers so that the bracket 32 can then be pushed or moved from left to right in FIG. 3 through the bottom member 22, or else by removing the adjacent side member 21 and compressing the tongues 35 by means of a tool such as pliers or the like, the bracket 32 can be withdrawn by moving the same from right to left in FIG. 3 since the tongues 35 in their compressed condition will not catch on or engage the portions 26 in the vicinity of the slots 36.

The corner screw 53 extends through a suitable opening such as the opening 55 in the end portion 24 of the side rail 21, and the screw 53 also engages the channel portion 54 which is integral with the lower surface of the crosspiece 34 so that by adjusting or rotating the corner screw 53, the bracket 32 can be adjusted or moved in the bottom rail 22 to the desired location. Since the housing 46 is connected to the bracket 32 as at 45, it will be seen that as the bracket 32 is adjusted or moved, the housing 46 which carries the roller 51 will likewise be moved back and forth to the desired location in the bottom rail 22.

Thus, it will be seen that according to the present invention there has been provided snap in fittings for the lower corner portions of a door such as the door 20, and there is provided the screw members 39 which can be adjusted to change the vertical adjustment of the rollers 51 so that the effective height or position of the door can be varied as desired. Also, the screw 53 not only functions to maintain the side member 21 connected to the bottom rail 22, but it also functions as a means for adjusting or moving the bracket 32 in a longitudinal direction relative to the bottom rail 22.

It is to be understood that different materials can be used for making the Vvarious parts, and the parts can be made in different .shapes or sizes as required or desired.

The bracket 32 has a' slip tit in the bottom rail 22. The roller assembly is adapted to be snappedin place, and when the corner screw 53 is pulled up, the roller assembly will register against the side of the slot and lock in place, that is the tongues 35 will register with the slots 36 so that the device will be locked in the proper location, and the stationary bracket 32 acts as a corner gusset.

With the present invention, the assembly of the parts can be accomplished in the shortest amount of time, and wherein the present invention will eliminate the various fastening hardware that is ordinarily used such as screws and rivets and the present invention will also greatly simplify the fastening operation. The rectangular slots or openings 36 can be punched in the portions 26 in one operation since the punch will go in one side 26 of the rail 22 and out the other side of the rail. Also, as shown in FIG. l, the portions 25 overlie the slots 36 and tongues 35 so that these parts are invisible which insures that the finished door will have a more esthetic appearance.

The snap in fitting of the present invention has the locking feature which consists of the interengaging or interfitting tongues 35 and slots 36 so that to withdraw the bracket from the bottom rail in order to move the bracket from right to left in FIG. 3 for example, it is necessary t0 use pliers or the like to squeeze the tongues 35 together, otherwise the bracket and parts are firmly locked in place. Also, the present invention is constructed so that the natural forces or weight of the parts such as the weight of the door will help urge the various parts in their proper locations for most eicient operation for use of the device.

rl`he hereinbefore described construction admits of considerable modification without departing from the invention: therefore, it is the wish not to be limited to the precise arrangement shown and described, which are as aforesaid, by way of illustration merely. In other words, the scope of protection contemplated is to be taken solely from the appended claims, interpreted as broadly as is consistent with the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. A snap roller assembly for a movable door comprising a bottom rail having a web portion and said bottom rail also having diametrically opposed slots in the side portions thereof, a bracket having diametrically opposed outwardly offset resilient tongues in its sides for engaging said slots, shoulders on said bottom rail adjacent the lower margin thereof, said bracket being positioned within said bottom rail and being supported between the web portion and shoulders, a housing pivotally connected to said bracket, means for adjusting said housing, and a roller journaled in said housing, said ybracket being movable longitudinally within the bottom rail until the tongues snap into the slots in order to secure the bracket and roller housing in the bottom rail.

2. A snap roller assembly for a movable door comprising a bottom rail having .a web portion and said bottom rail also having diametrically opposed slots in the side portions thereof, a bracket having diametrically opposed outwardly offset resilient tongues in its sides for engaging said slots, shoulders on said bottom rail adjacent the lower margin thereof, said bracket being positioned within said bottom rail and being supported between the web portion and shoulders, a housing pivotally connected to said bracket, means for adjusting said housing, and a roller journaled in said housing, said bracket being movable longitudinally within the bottom rail until the tongues snap into the slots in order to secure the |bracket and roller housing in the bottom rail, a screw member journaled in said bracket for adjusting said housing, a U-shaped side rail having portions overlying the slots, there being an aperture in the end portion of the side rail whereby a tool can be arranged in engagement with the screw member, said bracket defining and acting as a corner gusset, a corner screw extending through an opening in the side rail, and a channel section integral with said bracket having a bore therein for receiving said corner screw.

3. A snap roller assembly for a movable door comprising a bottom rail having a web portion and said bottom rail also having diametrically opposed slots in the side portions thereof, a bracket having diametrically opposed outwardly offset resilient tongues in its sides for engaging `said slots, shoulders on said bottom rail adjacent the lower margin thereof, said bracket being positioned within said bottom rail and being supported between the web portion and shoulders, a housing pivotally connected to said bracket, means for adjusting said housing, and a roller journaled in said housing, said bracket being movable longitudinally within the bottom rail until the tongues snap into the slots in order to secure the bracket and roller housing in the bottom rail, a screw member journaled in said bracket for adjusting said housing, a U-shaped side rail having portions overlying the slots, there being an aperture in the end portion of the side rail whereby a tool can be arranged in engagement with the screw member.

4. In a device of the character described, a movable door including a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side members, and a horizontally disposed bottom rail, said side members being of generally U-shape in crosssection and having side portions overlying the ends of the bottom rail, and said side members including an end portion, said bottom rail including a longitudinally extending web and spaced parallel vertically disposed side sections, and said side sections having diametrically opposed inwardly directed shoulders on the lower portions thereof, a horizontally disposed track below the door, the improvement consisting in providing snap in ttings at the lower corners of said door, each of said fittings comprising a bracket interposed between said web and shoulders and said bracket including spaced parallel side pieces interconnected by a cross-piece, said side pieces having dilametrically opposed outwardly offset tongues adjacent their edges, there being diametrically opposed slots in the side sections of the bottom rail for selectively receiving said tongues, a channel section integral with the upper surface of said cross-piece and said channel section having a longitudinally extending bore therein, a screw member extending through said bore and having a head on one end provided with a kerf, and said screw member having a tapered tip on the other end thereof, a pivot pin extending between the side pieces of said bracket; a housing including a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed side elements pivotally mounted on said pivot pin, and said side elements having diametrically opposed registering cut-outs therein to provide clearance adjacent said cross-piece, said side elements being interconnected by a wall portion, and said wall portion being engaged by the tapered end of the screw member, a pin member extending between said side elements and `having a roller journaled thereon, and said roller adapted to engage said track, a channel portion depending from the cross-piece of said bracket and having a bore therein, and a corner screw extending through an opening in the end portion of a side member and engaging said last named bore.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,040,391 6/1962 Saunders 20--19 3,097,401 7/1963 Reigelman 20-19 HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

K. DOWNEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SNAP ROLLER ASSEMBLY FOR A MOVABLE DOOR COMPRISING A BOTTOM RAIL HAVING A WEB PORTION AND SAID BOTTOM RAIL ALSO HAVING DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED SLOTS IN THE SIDE PORTIONS THEREOF, A BRACKET HAVING DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED OUTWARDLY OFFSET RESILIENT TONGUES IN ITS SIDES FOR ENGAGING SAID SLOTS, SHOULDERS ON SAID BOTTOM RAIL ADJACENT THE LOWER MARGIN THEREOF, SAID BRACKET BEING POSITIONED WITHIN SAID BOTTOM RAIL AND BEING SUPPORTED BETWEEN THE WEB PORTION AND SHOULDERS, A HOUSING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID BRACKET, MEANS FOR ADJUSTING SAID HOUSING, AND A ROLLER JOURNALED IN SAID HOUSING, SAID BRACKET BEING MOVABLE LONGITUDINALLY WITHIN THE BOTTOM RAIL UNTIL THE TONGUES SNAP INTO THE SLOTS IN ORDER TO SECURE THE BRACKET AND ROLLER HOUSING IN THE BOTTOM RAIL. 